Oil and hydrocarbon spill bioremediation product and application technologies

Abstract

This manuscript was prepared for use by U.S. Navy personnel to increase the awareness of the use of microbes and related technology associated in the remediation of hydrocarbon spills. Petroleum products are vastly used in every day naval operations, and spills will be inevitable. In researching the information and obtaining data from U.S. Navy commands, it quickly became obvious that the operational Navy knew little of this information and was not using bioremediation as a possible remedial technology. It is the intent of this manuscript to be used as a guide to assist and educate naval planners in understanding the role of bioremediation for site cleanup. As defense dollars shrink and the technology grows, bioremediation will become an attractive, economical means for the Navy's environmental problems. Thus, knowledge of the technology is important so as to not be mislead by marketing experts with widely exaggerated claims of performance. The technology works well in most cases, yet problems can exist that must be questioned. The manuscript is divided into four sections. Section I will review biodegradation basics and factors affecting the degradation process. Section II will discuss the composition of oil and related petroleum products and their physical states in water and soil environments. Section III examines the types of commercially available microbial products and the technology that can be used to dispense them in open seas, harbors, marshes, and shore facilities should a spill occur. Section IV will address the possible problems and associated drawbacks of bioremediation and will provide a list of questions to ensure the product and technology will perform as claimed.